Vacuum control with lid valve and spin brake



J. B. JAKSHA Aug. 29, 1967' VACUUM CONTROL WITH LID VALVE AND SPIN BRAKEFiled Oct. 24, 1965 4 Sheets-$heet 1 VACUUM CONTROL WITH LID VALVE ANDSPIN BRAKE J. B. JAKSHA Aug. 29, we?

4 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Oct.

x23 JQOEdIOME I II I P5015 EOEFOMJM w mwm N 25w wmzE IO THUG xqOw 25mwmhnzzz z m2; 20:.4mmm0 J. B. JAKSHA 3,3383%2 VACUUM CONTROL WITH LIDVALVE AND SPIN BRAKE Aug. 29, @96 7 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 24, 1965I g- 29, 1967 J. B. JAKSHA 3,338,362

VACUUM CONTROL WITH LID VALVE AND SPIN BRAKE Filed Oct. 24, 1965 4Sheets-Sheet 4 E I I FIG-I4 1302 I United States Patent 3,338,362 VACUUMCONTROL WITH LID VALVE AND SPIN BRAKE John B. Jaksha, Anaheim, Calif.,assignor to Robertshaw Controls Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation ofDelaware Filed Oct. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 504,801 18 Claims. (Cl. 192-136)ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to a washing machineor the like having the cycle of operation thereof controlled by aprogram controlling member that sequentially interconnects a vacuumsource to a plurality of vacuum operated actuator means to automaticallycontrol the cycle of operation of the washing machine, the washingmachine having an access closure means controlling a vacuum operatedvalve means in such a manner that the valve means prevents the programmeans from causing a spinning of the washing compartment of the washingmachine when the closure means is moved to an open position and alsoapplied a brake means to the spinning washing compartment to brake thesame should the access closure be opened during a spinning operation.

This invention relates to a vacuum control with a lid valve and spinbrake. One of the features of this invention includes a vacuum controlsystem for automatic washing machines having a lid valve which breaksthe vacuum in a spin control member to apply a brake to stop thespinning operation.

Another feature of this invention includes a lid valve having a vacuumbreaking means.

Other features are apparent from this description, the appended claimedsubject matter, and/ or the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagram showing a typical system embodying this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a chart showing the connections produced by the variouspositions of the selector discs.

FIGURE 3 is a typical diagrammatic cross section showing a reading headand a channeled control member passing over the reading head.

FIGURE 4 is a chart showing typical connections which are made by thechannels of the channeled control member as it passes over the ports oropenings of the reading head.

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of the combined water level andspeed transmission control of this invention.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic cross section of the upper water levelcontrol member.

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic cross section of the lower water levelcontrol member.

FIGURE 9 is a transverse cross section of the variable effectivediameter drive pulley of the variable speed transmission.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross section of a typical vacuumactuator of the type indicated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of a typical automatic washingmachine which embodies this invention.

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged side view of the lid valve.

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged cross section of the lid valve.

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged plan view of the unbalance valve construction.

3,338,362 Patented Aug. 29, 1967 'ice FIGURE 15 is a cross section alongthe line 15-15 of FIGURE 14.

Certain words are used herein in the specification and claims indicatingdirection, relative position and the like. These words are used for thesake of clearness and brevity. However, it is to be understood thatthese words are used in connection with the illustrations in thedrawings only, and that in actual use, such parts that are so describedmay have entirely diiferent direction, relative position, and the like.For example, such words are upper, lower, vertical, horizontal, and thelike.

This invention is particularly adapted to control a washing machine by acombined pneumatic and electrical system. For example, the system mayinclude the various parts, connections and operations diagrammaticallydisclosed in FIGURE 1, taken in combination with the other figures.

For example, the system of FIGURE 1 may control an automatic laundrymachine 20, FIGURE 11, such as is generally known as an automaticwashing machine. By way of example, such a machine may have a stationarytub 22, a centrifugal container, basket, or tub 24, which may beforaminous or non-foraminous, as is well known. The washing machine mayalso have an agitator 26, which may be oscillated in any well knownmanner, such as about a vertical axis, or up and down, or other motionwell known in the washing machine art. Hot and cold water may beintroduced into the tub 22 through the inlet pipe 28, under the controlof a mixing valve 30 which is connected to the hot and cold water pipes32 and 34 under the control of the pneumatic actuators 36 and 38respectively to control the flow of hot and cold water from the pipes 32and 34 into the supply pipe 28, and into the tub 22.

The supply of water may be also controlled by an upper water levelcontrol member or valve 40 and a lower water level control member orvalve 42. These members 40 and 42 may be responsive to the water levelin tub 22, and may be connected respectively by the pipes 44 and 46, forexample, near the bottom of the tub 22.

The centrifugal basket or tub 24, and the agitator 26 may berespectively centrifugally rotated, and oscillated or reciprocated by avariable speed transmission 44, which may be driven by a pulley 46'. Thepulley 46' may be a constant diameter pulley driven by a belt 48 from asmaller variable diameter pulley 50, which may be connected to a machinemotor 5-2. Such transmission 44 is well known, and is not specificallyillustrated. By way of example, it may be of the character that willreciprocate or oscillate the agitator 26, when the transmission orpulley 46' is rotated in one direction, to oscillate or reciprocate theagitator shaft 54. The transmission 44 or pulley 46' may be rotated inthe other direction centrifugally to rotate the basket or tub 24 byrotating the tub supporting shaft 56.

All of the foregoing components described in connection with the washingmachine 20 are individually known, and therefore are not furtherillustrated specifically, except as will be further described.

The stationary tub 22, and its contents, as well as the transmission 44and motor 52 are generally supported on a resilient mounting, not shown,so that they may yield to the centrifugal forces created when thecentrifugal basket or tub 24 is rotated. Such support is'well known. Anunbalance valve 58 may be supported by the cabinet of the washingmachine so that the plunger 60 will be struck and pushed inwardly by thetub 22 when the tub oscillates too far from its usual vibration. Thiswill cause the unbalance valve 58 to operate, as elsewhere hereindisclosed,

The cabinet of the washing machine, a portion of which is indicated at61, and which encloses the tub 22, and its contents, as well as thetransmission 44 and motor 52 may be provided with a lid 62 which may behinged at 64. A lid valve 66, supported in the cabinet, may have aplunger 68, which plunger is pushed down, when the lid 62 is closed. Theplunger 68 is allowed to raise, when the lid 62 is opened. This causesthe lid valve 66 to operate in a manner elsewhere herein disclosed.

In FIGURE 1, an electrical system is shown in dot and dash lines for thepurpose of energizing and controlling i the washing machine motor 52, avacuum pump and motor unit 70, a timer motor 72 and illuminating light74. The light 74 may be a fluorescent light, under the control of thelight switch 76, and which has the usual starting circuit which isdiagrammatically illustrated in FIG- URE l.

The electrical circuit may be traced from line L through a safety fuse78, through a manual master switch 80, which is closed when it is pulledout, or upwardly, in FIGURE 1. The circuit then passes through a bypassswitch 82, which is closed when there is no vacuum in the vacuumactuator 84, and is opened when there is a vacuum in the actuator '84.

The circuit then goes to the reversing motor controller 86 for motor 52.The motor reversing controller 86 may be of any well known construction.It causes the motor 52 to rotate in one direction when one switch 88 isactuated, and causes the motor 52 to rotate in the other direction whenthe switch 92 is actuated. For example, the motor reversing controller86 has a spin switch 88 which is closed when the spin vacuum actuator 90has a vacuum created in it, and is opened when the vacuum is broken, andatmospheric pressure is introduced in the actuator 90. The switch 88 isshown in open position in full line, and will be moved leftwardly to the:dotted line position when a vacuum is created in actuator 90. The motorcontroller 86 also has an agitation or wash control switch 92 which hasits two arms 94 and 96 pulled down when actuated by the agitation vacuumactuator 98 when there is a vacuum in the actuator 98. These arms 94 and96 are in their upper unactuated position, as shown in FIG- URE 1, whenthere is no vacuum in the actuator 98. When a vacuum is created inactuator 98 to actuate switch 92, the arms 94, 96 are pulled down, sothat the contacts 100, 102 and 104 are brought together against thecontact 104. At the same time, the contact 106 is brought down againstthe contact 108. However, if there is no vacuum in the actuator 98, thenthe contacts 100, 102, 104, 106 and 108 are in the positions illustratedin FIGURE 1.

The machine motor 52 is a reversible motor, and may have a runningwinding R, and a starting winding 5. It will be evident to those skilledin the motor art, that with no vacuum in actuators 90 and 98 and withthe switch 88 open, and with the switch 92 in its full line position, nocurrent will flow through the motor 52, since the only line contacts 104and 112 of the controller are open, and no current can flow from L pastthem to the motor 52.

However, if the switch 88 is closed on its contact 112 by vacuum inactuator 90, then current will flow from L to the switch 88 and throughline 120 to the running winding R and through the return line 114 to thepower source L". At the same time current will flow from the contact 112through the switch 88 through the contacts 106, blade 94, startingwinding S, centrifugal switch 116, blade 96, contacts 100 and 108 andthen to the return line 114. The starting winding S, when so energized,will cause the motor 52 to rotate in the spin direction to rotate thetub 24.

To reverse the motor 52 to cause it to drive the agitator 26 theagitation actuator 98 has a vacuum created in it to actuate theagitation switch 92. At the same time, the switch 88 is open by lack ofvacuum in actuator 90. The switch 92 is pulled down by vacuum in theactuator 98, and agitation direction of rotation is established in themotor 52. Current will flow from L through the line 101 to contact 104and through the contact 102 which is down, and from there throughthe'line 118 and line 120 to the running winding R and from thence tothe return line 114 and to L". At the same time current flows from theline 101 to the pulled down contact 104 and through the pulled downcontacts 102 and 100, and pulled down blade 96 through the centrifugalswitch 116, and upwardly through the starting Winding S and from thencethrough the pulled down blade 94 and stationary contact 108, to thereturn line 114, and L".

It is, therefore, to be seen that when the vacuum actuator 90 issubjected to a vacuum, the switch 88 is closed, and the motor 52 iscaused to rotate in one direction (spin direction) of rotation which isin the direction to cause the transmission 44 to operate the spin actionof the basket or tub 24. In this position, the current is directed inone direction through the starting winding downwardly according to thedescription previously given. On the other hand, when vacuum is brokenin the vacuum actuator 90 so that it is subjected to atmosphericpressure to open switch 88, and the agitation vacuum actuator 98 issubjected to a vacuum, to pull the switch blades 94 and 96 down, thenthe machine motor 52 is rotated in the opposite direction (agitationdirection), which causes the transmission 44 to operate the agitator 26,to produce a washing action.

The bypass switch 82 is such that when it is pulled to open position bya vacuum in actuator 84, then current can flow through the vacuum pumpand motor 70 but cannot pass through the timer motor 72, or the machinemotor 52.

The bypass vacuum actuator 84 is subjected to a vacuum by a constructionherein elsewhere described, to stop operation of a main motor 52 and thetimer motor 72 while the tub 22 is being filled and also to prevent theagitator 26 from being operated when the tub is not filled. However, thevacuum pump is operated to produce a vacuum supply for a vacuum controlsystem as may elsewhere be needed.

The bypass actuator 84 may be provided with a metered orifice to permita slow feed of atmospheric air into the actuator 84 when the vacuum pump70 is disconnected from the actuator 84.

Similar metered orifices are indicated elsewhere in FIG- URE 1 toindicate a similar slow atmospheric feed for the same purpose at theplaces indicated by a similar symbol.

The vacuum system may include a reading head 122 which has vacuum andatmosphere transferring openings hereafter identified and over which aflexible, channeled control member 124, FIGURE 3, may pass. The controlmember 124 has a series of channels 126, which channels pass over theopenings illustrated on reading head 122 of FIGURE 1 to produce a vacuumtransfer between such openings, or an atmospheric air transfer throughsuch openings as may be desired. If desired, the channel member 124 mayhave an outer plastic sheet 128, FIGURE 3, an inner plastic sheet and anintermediate porous flexible layer 132 which may be made of porousrubber or the like. The sheets 128 and 130 may be provided with openings134 and 136, which need not be exactly opposite each other, so thatatmospheric air may enter the opening 134 to be filtered by the porouslayer 124, and pass through the opening 136, into the reading headopening 138, which may be emblematic of any of the openings ashereinafter described in connection with FIGURE 1. The reading head mayalso have other openings shown in FIGURE 3, such' as which also may beemblematic of any of the openings hereinafter described in connectionwith FIGURE 1 and which may be variously bridged or connected by variouschannels 126 in the control member 124.

In FIGURE 1, the reading head 122 has a channeled control member passover it of the character indicated in FIGURE 3, which causes its channel126 and openings 136 to pass over the various openings indicated bycapital letters in FIGURE 1. The openings in the reading head 122 ofFIGURE 1 are indicated by the capital letters A, B, U, D, E, F, G, V, K,J, L, M, N, P, Q and T. These openings of the reading head 1220f FIGURE1 are connected by vacuum or atmospheric air transmitting tubes or lineswhich are indicated by heavy diagrammatic lines. These lines areconnected to various members, including vacuum actuators of the typeindicated in FIG- URE 10. Such actuators may have a rigid cup or thelike 142, a flexible diaphragm 144 and an actuating connecting rod 146to actuate any desired member on the washing machine. The cup 142 may beconnected by the connector tube 148 with the various vacuum or air linesshown in FIGURE 1. If desired, a compression spring 150 may be placed incup 142, which causes the diaphragm 144 to move upwardly, in FIGURE 10,when the vacuum in the cup 142 is broken by introduction of atmosphericair into the cup. When a vacuum is created in the cup 142, the diaphragm144 is moved inwardly into the cup, and moves the rod 146 with it. Suchactuators may be of the type disclosed in the patent to H. W. Rice,3,142,966, granted August 4, 1964, the actuator being indicated byreference numeral 14 in such patent.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, the vacuum pump 70 creates a vacuumcondition in the reading head opening V through the pipe 152 wheneverthe pump 70 is operated. The other openings of the reading head 122 ofFIGURE 1 are connected to various components by variou tubes which aredisclosed elsewhere.

A selector valve construction 154 may be provided for selecting any of aplurality of programs to be performed by the washing machine. Suchconstruction 154 may be a stationary disc like construction which hasopenings U, H, B and E. The openings U, B and E are connectedrespectively with the openings U, B and E of the reading head 122 bytubes, as shown in FIGURE 1. The opening H is connected to the hot watervacuum actuator 36 which actuates the hot water valve 156 of the mixer30. The opening E is connected to the cold water vacuum actuator 38which actuates the cold water valve 158 of the mixer 30. A plurality ofindicating selector positions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, for example, maybe placed around or adjacent the disc 154.

A rotatable selector disc 160 may be mounted to be rotatable over thestationary disc 154. The disc 160 may have a flexible channeled member,somewhat similar to the member 130 of FIGURE 3. The rotatable disc 160may have a membrane or film with channels or blisters 162, similar tochannels 126 of FIGURE 3, located thereon which bridge the openings U,H, B' and E of the member 154 in accordance with the chart of FIGURE 2,wherein the various connections made by the blisters 162 are indicatedfor each position of the indicator 161 of disc 160 over the positions1-8 of the disc 154. By way of example, in position No. 1, FIGURE 2, therotatable disc 160 will have a blister 162 connecting openings B and E,so that a vacuum will be created in actuator 38 at the proper time andonly cold water will be added to the tub 22 when one or more channels126 bridge the reader head openings B, D, as the timer control member124 is moved over the reading head 122. The opening D will have a vacuumproduced in it at the proper time as elsewhere described. It is thus tobe seen, that by turning the rotatable disc 160, it is possible toselect which one of the water valves 156 or 158 are to be opened atvarious times during the passing of the cont-r01 member 124 over thereading head 122. The passage of the control member 124 over the readinghead will produce the selected program.

Other connections from the reading head 122 include connections from theopenings D and V to the upper water level control 40, which control isalso shown in FIGURE 7. The line or tube 164, FIGURE 5, connects thereader port V with the opening 166 of the upper water level valve 40.The opening 168 of valve 40 is connected to line 170 which line is alsoconnected to reader head port D. The valve opening 172 is connected tothe atmosphere. The port F is connected to a bleach actuator 173 whichactuates a bleach dispenser when a vacuum is produced in the actuator173 by the line connecting it with port F.

FIGURE 7 shows diagrammatically the upper water level control member orvalve 40. For example, the water control member 40 may have a cup orcasing 174 which has connected thereto a flexible diaphragm 176 at itsupper part. The casing 174 has a fluid inlet and outlet 178 at its lowerend which may be connected to the pipe or conduit 44, which is connectedto the lower part of the tub 22 of the washing machine. A pressurechamber 180 is thus formed, which is responsive or proportional to thewater level in the tub 22. The diaphragm 176 moves up and down in itscentral part in response to the level of the water in the tub 22. Suchdiaphragm 176 is connected to a snap acting mechanism 182, which is wellknown, and which may be connected to a movable member or carrier 184which may be cup like in its construction and which has a flexible filmor membrane 186 which may be secured to the rim of the cup 184. A porousmember or body 188 may be placed between the membrane 186 and the cup184. A permanent channel 190 is formed in the film or membrane 186,which channel 190 may be, in general, of the same construction aschannel 126, previously described. The carrier 184 may be held against astationary plate or reading head 192, which has the openings 166, 168and 172 passing through the reading head 192. The snap acting mechanism182 holds the carrier 186 in its lower position, as illustrated inFIGURE 7, when the water level in the tub 22 is below a selected upperlevel or filled level of the tub 22. However, when the water level inthe tub 22 rises to the selected upper level, then the increasedpressure in chamber 180 causes the snap acting mechanism 192 under thepressure of the diaphragm 176 to snap the carrier 186 to the upperposition, where the channel 190 will bridge the openings 170 and 172,instead of the openings 166 and 168, which it previously bridged. Thesnap acting mechanism 182 may be manually adjustable at 194, so that itcan be adjusted to produce the snap action at various selected upper orfilled levels desired in the tub 22.

If desired, a leaf spring or blade 196 may be supported on a fixedmember 198, and its free end may push the carrier 186 against thereading head 192 to maintain a sutficiently tight sealing action betweenthe membrane 186 and the reading head 192.

It is, therefore, to be seen that when the tub 22 is not filled to thedesired upper or filled level, then the openings 166 and 168 are bridgedby the channel 190. However, when the tub 22 has been filled to thedesired level, then the openings 172 and 168 are bridged by the channel190. Therefore, the reader opening V, FIGURE 5, is connected to thereader opening D when the tub is not filled, and a vacuum is produced inthe opening D through pipe 170 under these conditions. However, when thetub is filled to the desired level, the openings 168 and 172 are bridgedby the channel 190 and atmospheric air from opening 172 is allowed toenter into the opening D through channel 190 and line 170 and the vacuumin opening D is broken and maintained broken as long as the tub isfilled. Therefore the water control actuators 36 and 38 cannot have avacuum created in them from opening D when the tub 22 is filled.However, they can have a vacuum created in them when the tub 22 is notfilled.

The low level control valve 42 is connected by the t ube 46 with thebottom of the tub 22, and is responsive to a predetermined low level ofthe water in the tub 22. Such low level valve 42 is diagrammaticallyshown in FIGURE 8. In general, the low level control member 42 isstructurally the same as the member 40, which is shown in FIGURE 7, andthe various members are substantially the same. Some of the charactersof FIGURE 7 have been repeated in FIGURE 8, with the prime mark afterthe reference character, and it is to be understood that all of theseparts operate substantially in the same manner, but at a differentpressure. However, the pipe connections in FIGURE 8 correspond to thepipe connections in FIG- URE 5.

In FIGURES and 8, the lower level valve 42 is provided with an opening166 which is connected to the tube or line 200 which is connected to theopening 202 in the spin speed regulator 204, the operation of which iselsewhere more fully described. Another opening 168' is connected to thetube or line 206, which is connected to the opening P in the readinghead 122. The opening 172' is open to the atmosphere.

The lower level valve 42 connects the openings 166 and 168' when thelevel of the water in the tub 22 is below a selected or critical lowlevel. The valve 42 connects the openings 166 and 172 when the level ofthe water in the tub 22 is above such selected low level.

The selected low level to which valve 42 is responsive can be adjustedby the adjustment member which may be a knob, lever, or the like 194which adjust the snap acting mechanism 182' in the same manner aspreviously described in connection with the valve 40.

An agitation speed regulator 208 may have a construction substantiallyidentical with that disclosed in connection with spin speed regulator204, and is therefore illustrated in much smaller scale to avoidrepetition.

The spin speed regulator 204 (and the regulator 208) has a casing 210which is provided with openings 202 and 212. The opening 212 isconnected by the line or tube 214 with the reader head opening D.

The construction of the speed regulator 204 is somewhat similar to thatdisclosed in the patent to H. W. Rice, 3,142,966. In general, thediaphragm 216 covers and uncovers the end 218 of the stationary pipe 212to permit the suction action at the end 218 to maintain a regulatedvacuum pressure in the chamber 220. This regulated vacuum pressure inchamber 220 is transmitted through the pipe 202 and through the lines200, 206 to the reader opening P. However, this vacuum pressure can onlybe transmitted when the water level in the tub 22 is below the low levelto which the valve 42 is responsive, and when the channel 190 bridgesthe openings 166 and 168. When the channel 190 bridges the openings 166'and 172', the vacuum at opening P is broken, and atmospheric pressure istransmitted from atmospheric opening 172' to opening P.

The timer member or membrane 124 at the proper time can bridge theopenings P and Q of the reader 122 and thus transmit this regulatedvacuum pressure through the line 222 to the speed regulating actuator224. The amount of vacuum created in the actuator 224 will vary thediameter of the pulley 50, to regulate the speed of transmission in thetransmission 44, to regulate the speed of spin of the basket 24 of thewashing machine. The construction is such that the speed of a spin ofbasket 24 cannot be increased unless the level of the water in the tub22 has been lowered by drainage or pumping action, so that such level isbelow that selected by the low level valve 42. That is, the speedregulator 204 cannot increase the speed of spin through the transmission44 unless the openings 166 and 168 are joined by the channel 190', whichcannot take place unless the water level in the tub 22 has been loweredbelow the selected level established by the valve 42. Also, the vacuumcannot be transmitted to the speed control actuator 224- through line222 unless the upper level controller 40 has moved the channel 190 tojoin the openings 166 and 168, due to the low level in the tub 22, sothat a vacuum can flow from the port V through the line 164, channel190, line 170, opening D, line 214, tube 212, and end of tube 218 toregulate and maintain a vacuum in vacuum pressure chamber 220.

Therefore, the construction of the water level valves 40 and 42 providethe safety feature that no increase in speed of the spin of the basket24 can take place unless the water level in the tub 22 has been loweredbelow the selected low level established by the valve 42.

The action of the pressure regulator 204 may be briefly described asfollows. A compression spring 228 surrounds the pipe 212 and has itsupper end engaging a flat bottomed cup 230. The spring 228 tends to pushthe cup upward, to uncover the end 218 and subject the chamber 220 tothe suction action of the vacuum pump through the tube 212. When thissuction action has reduced the vacuum 220 below the desired pressure,the atmospheric pressure in the chamber 232 pushes the diaphragm 216leftwardly and this causes the diaphragm 216 to be flexed as shown inFIGURE '6, so as to uncover the opening 234 in diaphragm 216 to allow asmall amount of atmospheric air to enter the chamber 220 to maintain thedesired vacuum pressure in the chamber 220. The atmospheric pressure inthe chamber 232 is established by the opening 236 which is open to theatmosphere.

The atmospheric pressure in chamber 232 is further reinforced by thecompression spring 238, which increases the atmospheric pressure in 232to push the diaphragm 216 leftwardly when the vacuum in chamber 220 hasbeen reduced below the desired vacuum. This spring 238 may have itscompression load adjusted by the screw 240, which can be turned by theknob 242 to move the disc 244 rightwardly and leftwardly, and thusadjust the total pressure which is established against the diaphragm216. This adjustment at knob 242 therefore establishes the selectedvacuum pressure which is to be maintained in the regulated pressurechamber 220. This regulated vacuum will be transmitted to the speedregulating actuator 224 and, therefore, the desired speed of spinning ofthe basket 24 is established by regulation at the knob 242.

The speed regulation of the transmission 44 may be accomplished by anydesired adjustable speed transmission which can be regulated by anactuator such as 224-. As illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 9 the motor 52 isprovided with an adjustable diameter pulley 226 around which the belt246 passes and engages the constant diameter pulley 46. The belt 246 maybe a V belt and may also pass over the idler pulley 248. The idlerpulley 248 may be carried by a lever 250 which has a fulcrum at 252, andhas its other end connected by the rod 254 with the diaphragm 144 of theactuator 224. When a greater suction is produced in the chamber 256 ofthe actuator 224, the rod 250 is rocked counterclockwise, so that theidler pulley 248 is moved toward the pulley 226 and allows the V belt226 to move outwardly in the pulley 226. This increases the diameter ofthe pulley 26, and therefore increases the speed of rotation of thepulley 46, as the suction strength in chamber 256 becomes greater. Atension spring 258 is attached to the shaft of the pulley 248 or tolower end of lever 250 and has its other end connected to any fixedmember 260, to maintain proper tension on the V belt 246. Either springor spring 258 may be omitted, if the strength of the remaining spring150 or 258 is sufiicient to maintain an operating tension on the belt246.

The pulley 50 may be of well known construction in which a pulley flange225 is axially movable on the shaft of the motor 52, FIGURE 9. Thepulley flange 226 is axially fixed on the shaft 'of the motor. Acompression spring 227 has one end engaging the fixed nut 229 on themotor shaft and has the other end axially pushing the pulley flange 225.This causes the pulley 50 to have an automatically variable effectivediameter as the speed regulating actuator 224 rocks the lever 250 topull the belt 246 inward or outward in the pulley 50.

The agitation speed regulator 208 has its opening 212, which correspondsto opening 212, connected by the pipe 262 with the vacuum pipe 164. Italso has its opening 202 connected by the pipe 264 to the reader openingT. Therefore, whenever the reader openings Q and T are bridged by thetimer, a regulated vacuum will be established in the speed controlactuator 224 in response to the vacuum pressures maintained in thechamber 220' of the agitatlon regulator 208. As is obvious, a greatersuction pressure 1n the chamber 220', as established by the knob 242',creates V a faster speed transmission at 44 in the same mannerpreviously described in connection with the spin regulator 204.

A lid valve 66 is provided to cause the application of a brake to thespinning basket 24 may be provided, which applies the brake to thebasket 24 practically as soon as the lid 62 of the washing machine islifted. Thismay be accomplished by providing the lid valve 66 w1th astationary reading head 270, FIGURES 12 and 13, have openings 272 and274 at the same level and opemngs 276 and 278 at different levels. Amovable connector member 280 is movable up and down against thestationary reading head 270. The member 280 may have a film or membrane282 which has a T shaped channel construction 284 which is movable upand down past the openings 272, 274, 276 and 278. When the lid andmember 280 are down, the openings 272 and 274 are bridged by the channel284. When the lid is moved up, the member 280 moves up, so that thechannel member 284, which is T shaped, bridges the openings 274, 276 and278, and closes the opening 272, as shown in FIGURE 12.

When a spin operation is to be performed and -1s controlled by the timerflexible control member 124, the reading head openings L, M and N arebridged by a channel construction 126 of the timer control member sothat a vacuum can be applied to the brake actuator 286. The brakeactuator 286 will remove the brake action on the rotatable tub 24 when avacuum is established in such acu-tator 286. The motor 52 can then drivethe tub 24 at centrifugal speed.

Therefore, when the lid is down, a vacum is transmitted from the line152 through the line 288, opening 272, channel 284, opening 274, line290, then to reader opening N which can then be bridged to the openingL, to produce a vacuum in the actuator 286. This vacuum in actuator 286moves the brake away from the basket 24, so the basket can be rotated.At this time the line 292 is closed at atmospheric opening 278 by thefilm 282, so that atmospheric pressure air cannot reach actuator 286 andso that a vacuum can be maintained on the actuator 286. Therefore, thespin operation can be produced by other lines, without having the brakeapplied to the basket.

However, when the lid 62 is lifted, andthe movable member 280 is movedupwardly, so that the T shaped channel 284 bridges the openings 274, 276and 278, as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 12, atmospheric'air can flowfrom the atmospheric opening 276, through the channel 284 which is nowup, and through the opening 278 and line 292 to the brake actuator 286,which applies the brake when atmospheric air is applied to the actuator286. Atmospheric air can also pass through channel 284 to opening 274and line 290. This insures a quick stopping of the basket 24 if the lid62 should be opened when the basket is being spun. The basket is stoppedby the brake regardless of whether the motor 52 is energized or not,

since the brake is more powerful than the motor. If

necessary, a slip clutch is provided between the motor 52 and the basket24.

If the laundry in tub 24 should be unduly unbalanced so that violentvibrations are produced in the tubs 22 and 24, and the unbalance plunger60, FIGURES 14 and 15, is struck by the vibrating tub 22. The plunger 60is rigidly held by body 296. This causes the body 296 to be movedagainst the load of compression spring 298 and to be moved rightwardlyin FIGURES 14 and 15 to cause the large cavity 300 in the flexible filmor membrane 301 to be moved over the openings 302 and 304 in thestationary reading head 306. If the unbalanced swinging actioncontinues, the cavity 300 is held over the openings 302 and 304substantially continuously by the repeated vibrations to transfer thevacuum which was flowing through the line 308 to the spin actuatorthrough the line 310, opening 304, cavity 300, opening 302, line 312,and line 314, to produce a vacuum in actuator 84 and open the bypassswitch 82 thus deenergizing the motor 52 and the timer motor 72. Themachine will, therefore, be stopped for lack of power.

The cavity 300 is sufficiently large to hold the body 296 stationaryover the openings 302, 304 when the tub stops and does not engage theplunger 60. The timer channels were bridging openings L and N during thespin operation so that a vacuum is maintained in cavity 300 in spite ofthe slow leak at orifice 85. This maintains the bypass switch 82 openand the machine motor 52 and timer motor 72 deenergized.

However, if the lid 62 is opened to investigate why the machine hasstopped, atmospheric air will be supplied from the openings 276 and 278of the lid valve 66. Atmospheric air can then flow through line 292 toreader head opening L, which was connected with reader opening M toproduce the spin at the time the machine was stopped. Therefore theatmospheric air will then flow through the line 316, and line 310 tofill the cavity 300, and allow the body 296 to be pushed leftwardly bythe spring 298. The

opening of the lid therefore resets the unbalance valve 58, utter suchvalve 58 has been displaced by the unbalanced oad.

In all of these sliding members with films and cavities, a spring blademay be provided, as has been illustrated, but not necessarily described.For example, these additional spring blades may be supplied at 318 inFIGURE 13.

In all of the embodiments the film or membrane which is adjacent areading head may be made of thin plastic sheet material that can bend toadjust itself hermetically against the reading head surface adjacent avacuum opening. The closed end channels formed in the film or membraneare self-sustaining and do not collapse under the pressure differentialbetween the vacuum pressure and atmospheric pressure. 1 FIGURE 4 is achart showing what reader openings are bridged as the timer controlmember 124 is moved leftwardly in FIGURE 4 over the reader 122. Thecontrol member 124 may be in the form of a belt which is rotated withone run passing over the reader 122. Alternatively, the control member124 may be a disc which is rotated about an axis which is perpendicularto the reader 122 and 111 which radii of the disc continually pass overthe reader 122.

For example, the selector disc may be placed at position 1 and themaster switch 80 may be pulled out to ON position. Switch 80 remains inON or OUT position until a vacuum is produced in OFF actuator 322.Actuator 322 will pull switch 80 to OFF or open position when vacuum isproduced in actuator 322 at the end of the selected program. The timercontrol member 124 is automatically or manually advanced leftwardly overthe reader 122 until position 1 is reached on the chart of FIGURE 4substantially at the 45 minute mark. This causes the blisters shown inFIGURE 4 to produce the following bridging actions: Ports A, B, D and Uare bridged by blister 324. Ports G, V, and F are bridged by blisters326. Ports Q, T are bridged by ports 328. Ports 1 and K are vented tothe atmosphere by openings in timer member 124 similar to 138 in FIGURE3.

Blister 324 may be a large continuous blister and groups of blisters 326and 328 are close parallel narrow channels that produce a substantiallyconstant bridging action as they pass the reader openings.

At the above start of Selection 1, the vacuum pump 70 is energized bythe manual closing of switch 80. However, the timer motor 70 and themachine motor 52 do not operate, since they are bypassed by the openingof bypass switch 82 by a vacuum which is produced in actuator 84. Thisvacuum is produced when the vacuum pump 70 produces a vacuum in line 152and port V. The port V is connected to port D by water level valvechannel 190 which connects the openings 166 and 168 and line 170 to D.Port D is connected to port A by blister 324 which then produces avacuum through line 314 to bypass actuator 84 to open bypass switch 82.This arrests operation of timer motor 72 and machine motor 52 while themachine tub 22 is being filled with cold water by the production of avacuum in port B by blister 324. Port B produces a vacuum in port Bwhich is now connected only to port E by selector valve disc 168 inposition 1". Therefore only port E has a vacuum produced in it andenergizes the cold water actuator 38 and cold water valve 158 to fillthe tub 22 to the desired level with cold water before the timer motor72 and machine motor 52 can start.

The bridging of ports V, G and F by blisters 326 causes the motorreversing switch 86 to be placed in agitation rotation position byproducing a vacuum in agitation actuator 98. However no agitation can beproduced while the tub 22 is being filled as the water level valve 40has bypassed the motor 52 to prevent such motor 52 from operating untilthe tub 22 is filled with cold water.

When the tub 22 is filled with cold water, the upper water level valve40 responds by moving the channel 190 upward to join openings 168 and172 to introduce atmospheric air pressure into opening D. The blister324 then transfers the atmospheric air pressure to reader openings B, Aand U. This atmospheric pressure goes to E through selector valves 154,160 as previously described and produces atmospheric air pressure incold water actuator 38 to close cold water valve 158 and stop thefilling action. At the same time the atmospheric air pressure istransferred to reader opening A which then sends such air pressure tobypass actuator 84 to close bypass switch 82 and to energize the timermotor 72 and machine motor 52. The timer motor 72 will then advance thetimer control member 124 and the machine motor 52 will drive theagitator 26 at the selected speed, a selected by speed control 208. Thespeed control 208 establishes the vacuum pressure which will betransferred to agitation actuator 224 and hence the speed of the belt246.

The laundry is then given a two minute cold water wash from about the 45minute mark on the chart of FIGURE 4 to the 47 minute mark. The tub 22is prevented from spinning during this time since the brake actuatoropening L and spin actuator opening M are vented to the atmosphere bysuitable openings in the controller 124, as indicated by the atmosphericbleed legend on the chart of FIGURE 4.

After the two minute cold wash, there is a one minute pause from the 47to the 48 minute mark.

Then a spin operation is started at the 48 minute mark when the blister338 bridges reader spin openings L, M and N and the reader agitationopenings G and F are vented to the atmosphere.

The bridging of spin openings L, M and N causes a vacuum to be suppliedto the brake actuator 286 to release the brake from centrifugal tub 24.The vacuum comes from main vacuum line 152, line 288, door switch 66,line 290, opening N, blister 330, reader opening L and brake actuator286. Spin agitator 90 has a vacuum supplied from reader opening M, lines316 and 308 to cause spin at lowest speed. This pumps out the main waterfrom tubs 22 and 24.

The spin speed cannot be increased during this time because openings Pand Q are not bridged together to supply a vacuum to the speed controlactuator 224.

When the timer controller passes the 49 minute mark, the blister 331bridges the reader openings P and Q. This will supply a regulated vacuumto the speed control actuator 224. The speed vacuum regulator 204 willsupply the selected vacuum pressure to the reader opening P provided thewater in the tub 22 has been pumped out to a sufliciently low level tocause the lower level valve 42 to snap the channel 190' down to bridgethe openings 166' and 168'. When this happens, the speed controlactuator 224 may have regulated vacuum supplied to it from spinregulator 204 to increase the spinning speed. However, the low levelvalve 42 will permit this increased speed only if the water in the tub22 has been pumped down below the critical low level.

At the 50-minute mark the spin speed is reduced to its lowest value bythe bleeding of atmospheric air into reader opening Q as indicated onthe chart. This may be done by having openings similar to 136 of FIGURE3 pass over the reader opening Q. This supplies atmospheric air pressureto the speed control actuator 224 and reduces the speed of transmissionof the belt 246.

Then at the 50-minute mark a fill pump rinse may be sprayed into thecentrifugal tub 24 during the slower rotation of the tub 24 by theblister 332 which bridges openings B, U, D and E to supply cold waterinto the tub 24. This spray may continue for one minute, after which theopenings B, U, and E are vented to the atmosphere as indicated on thechart to stop any further addition of cold water.

At the 52-minute mark, the blisters 333 may bridge the reader openings Pand Q to increase the speed of the spin, as previously described, andsubject to the control of the low level valve 42 which prevents highspeed spin if the tub 22 has not been emptied to a sufficiently lowlevel.

At the 53 /2-minute mark the blisters 330 and 333 terminate. Thecentrifugal tub 24 can coast to a stop.

At the 55-minute mark the blister 334 bridges the reader openings V, I,and K.

This supplies a vacuum to the OFF actuator 322 through pipe 336 whichcauses the actuator 322 to open the master switch and to connect thedump valve 338 to the atmospheric opening 340 instead of to the closedposition 342.

The operations of the other programs shown in the chart of FIGURE 4 areobvious from the typical description of program No. 1. Program 8 startsat the beginning of the chart of FIGURE 4; Programs 2-7 start atpositions 2-7 which are shown in the FIGURE 4 chart with circles aroundthem.

The programs 18 may supply the following water temperatures for the washand rinse operations which are suitable for various types of laundry asdesired:

Under certain conditions, features of this invention are also applicableto a somewhat horizontal action washing machine in which a clothescontainer or basket is somewhat horizontal and is located in a somewhathorizontal stationary tub. In such a washing machine, a washing actionor agitating action may be produced by slow rotation of the basket whilethe liquid in the tub is at the selected upper level, such as iscontrolled by the upper water level valve 40. The spin or centrifugingaction is produced by rotating the basket at a high cen ttrifugal speedwhile the liquid in the tub is below the low level selected by the lowerlevel valve 42.

The somewhat horizontal basket of such washing machine may be rotated inthe same direction for both the agitation action and the centrifugingaction. Under such conditions the motor 52 may be a two speed motor andthe spin actuator may control the high speed windings of such two speedmotor, and the agitation actuator 98 13 may control the low speedwindings of such two speed motor.

Such somewhat horizontal basket may have agitating means for suchbasket. Such agitating means may include baffie means attached to saidbasket and located in such basket.

Such somewhat horizontal action washing machines are well known and aretherefore not herein illustrated.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed asrequired by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within thescope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination to control an automatic machine having a rotatablecontainer and driving means for rotatably driving said containercomprising:

vacuum actuator means controlling said driving means to produce and stoprotation of said container;

a vacuum distributing program means having vacuum transmitting linemeans connected to said vacuum actuator means;

a casing for said container and having an access closure means movableto closed and open positions for access to said rotatable containers;

a vacuum controlling closure operated valve means movable to closureopen position and to closure closed position, said closure operatedvalve means causing said program means to prevent said vacuum actuatormeans from causing production of rotation of said container when saidclosure means is moved to open position, and to permit said programmeans to cause said vacuum actuator means to cause rotation of saidcontainer when said closure means is in closed position.

2. A- combination according to claim 1 which also comprises:

brake means for said container;

vacuum actuator means controlling said brake means, said closureoperated valve means causing said last named vacuum actuator means toapply a braking action by said brake means to stop rotation of saidcontainer when said closure means is moved to open position, and toremove said braking action of said brake means from said container whensaid closure means is in closed position.

3. A combination according to claim 1 in which said vacuum controllingclosure operated valve means comprises:

a stationary reading head having reader openings therein connectable tosaid vacuum distributing program means and to said vacuum actuatormeans;

a movable connector member movable back and forth past said stationaryreading head, said movable connector members having a channelconstruction which bridges some of said reader openings ,to prevent saidvacuum actuator means from causing production of rotation of saidcontainer when said closure means is moved to open position, saidchannel construction bridging some of said reader openings to permitsaid vacuum actuator means to cause rotation of said container when saidclosure means is in closed position.

4. A combination according to claim 3 in which said reading head has twoof said reader openings along a line forming substantially aperpendicular angle to the line of motion of said connector member andhas two other of said reader openings along a line forming an obtuseangle to the line of motion of said connector member, and in which said'channel construction is in the form of a T which bridges only said firstnamed two openings in one position of said connector member and whichbridges said second named two openings and one of said first named twoopenings in another position of said connector member.

5. A combination according to claim 3 in which said reading head has twoof said reader openings along a line forming substantially aperpendicular angle to the line of motion of said connector member andhas two other of said reader openings along a line forming an obtuseangle to the line of motion of said connector member, and in which saidchannel construction is in an angular form which bridges only said firstnamed t wo openings in one position of said connector member and whichbridges said second named two openings and one of said first named twoopenings in another position of said connector member.

6. A combination according to claim 4 in which said connector member hasa flexible membrane on which said channel construction is formed, saidconnector member having a resilient pad behind said membrane.

7. A combination to control an automatic machine having a rotatablemember, driving means for rotatably dniving said rotatable member,vacuum actuator means controlling said driving means to produce and stoprotation of said rotatable member, a vacuum distributing program meanshaving vacuum transmitting line means connected to said vacuum actuatormeans comprising:

an access closure means movable to closed and open positions for accessto said rotatable member;

a vacuum controlling closure operated valve means movable to closureopen position and to closure closed position, said closure operatedvalve means causing said program means to prevent said vacuum actuatormeans from causing production of rotation of said rotatable member whensaid closure means is moved to open position, and to permit said programmeans to cause rotation of said rotatable member when said closure meansis in closed position.

8. A combination according to claim 7 which also comprises:

brake means for said rotatable member;

vacuum actuator means controlling said brake means, said closureoperated valve means causing said last named vacuum actuator means toapply a braking action by said brake means to stop rotation of saidrotatable member when said closure means is moved to open position, andto remove said braking action of said brake means from said rotatablemember when said closure means is in closed position.

9. A combination according to claim 7 in which said vacuum controllingclosure operated valve means comprises:

a stationary reading head having reader openings therein connectable tosaid vacuum distributing program means and said vacuum actuator means;

a movable connector member movable back and forth past said stationaryreading head, said movable connector member having a channelconstruction which bridges some of said reader openings to prevent saidvacuum actuator means from causing production of rotation of saidrotatable member when said closure means is moved to open position, saidchannel construction bridging some of said reader openings to permitsaid vacuum actuator means to cause rotation of said container when saidclosure member is in closed position.

10. A combination according to claim 9 in which said reading head hastwo of said reader openings along a line forming substantially aperpendicular angle to the line of motion of said connector member andhas two other of said reader openings along a line forming an obtuseangle to the line of motion of said connector member, and in which saidchannel construction is in the form of a T which bridges only said firstnamed two openings in one position of said connector member and whichbridges said second named two openings and one of said first named twoopenings in another position of said connector member.

11. A combination according to claim 9 in which said reading head hastwo of said reader openings along a line forming substantially aperpendicular angle to the line of motion of said connector member andhas two other of said reader openings along a line forming an obtuseangle to the line of motion of said connector member, and in which saidchannel construction is in an angular form which bridges only said firstnamed two openings in one position of said connector member and whichbridges said second named two openings and one of said first named twoopenings in another position of said connector member.

12. A combination according to claim 10 in which said connector memberhas a flexible membrane on which said channel construction is formed,said connector member having a resilient pad behind said membrane.

' 13. In combination:

an automatic machine having a rotatable member;

driving means for rotatably driving said rotatable member;

vacuum actuator means controlling said driving means to produce and stoprotation of said rotatable driving member;

a vacuum distributing program means having vacuum transmitting linemeans connected to said vacuum actuator means;

an access closure means movable to closed and open positions for accessto said rotatable member;

a vacuum controlling closure operated valve means movable to closureopen position and to closure closed position, said closure operatedvalve means causing said program means to prevent said vacuum actuatormeans from causing production of rotation of said rotatable member whensaid closure means is moved to open position, and to permit said programmeans to cause rotation of said rotatable member when said closure meansis in closed position.

14. In combination:

a stationary reading head having a plurality of reader openingsconnectable to a vacuum control system;

a movable connector member movable back and forth past said stationaryreading head, said movable connector member having a channelconstruction which bridges some of said reader openings;

said reader head having two of said reader openings along a line formingsubstantially a perpendicular angle to the line of motion of saidconnector member and having two other of said reader openings along aline forming an obtuse angle to the line of motion of said connectormember having a shape which bridges only said first named two openingsin one position of said connector member and which bridges said secondnamed two openings and one of said first named two openings ni anotherposition of said connector member.

15. A combination according to claim 14 in which said channelconstruction is in the shape of a T.

16. A combination according to claim 14 in which said connector memberhas a flexible membrane on which said channel construction is formed,said connector member having a resilient pad behind said membrane.

17. A combination according to claim 16 in which a spring member holdssaid connector member against said reading head.

18. A combination according to claim 17 in which said channelconstruction is in the shape of a T.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,969,663 1/1961 Harrold .s192135 X 3,255,672 6/1966 Wantz et al. 91-36 MARK NEWMAN, PrimaryExaminer.

ARTHUR T. MCKEON, Examiner.

1. A COMBINATION TO CONTROL AN AUTOMATIC MACHINE HAVING A ROTATABLECONTAINER AND DRIVING MEANS FOR ROTATABLY DRIVING SAID CONTAINERCOMPRISING: VACUUM ACTUATOR MEANS CONTROLLING SAID DRIVING MEANS TOPRODUCE AND STOP ROTATION OF SAID CONTAINER; A VACUUM DISTRIBUTINGPROGRAM MEANS HAVING VACUUM TRANSMITTING LINE MEANS CONNECTED TO SAIDVACUUM ACTUATOR MEANS; A CASING FOR SAID CONTAINER AND HAVING AN ACCESSCLOSURE MEANS MOVABLE TO CLOSED AND OPEN POSITIONS FOR ACCESS TO SAIDROTATABLE CONTAINERS; A VACUUM CONTROLLING CLOSURE OPERATED VALVE MEANSMOVABLE TO CLOSURE OPEN POSITION AND TO CLOSURE CLOSED POSITION, SAIDCLOSURE OPERATED VALVE MEANS CAUSING SAID PROGRAM MEANS TO PREVENT SAIDVACUUM ACTUATOR MEANS FROM CAUSING PRODUCTION OF ROTATION OF A CONTAINERWHEN SAID CLOSURE MEANS IS MOVED TO OPEN POSITION, AND TO PERMIT SAIDPROGRAM MEANS TO CAUSE SAID VACUUM ACTUATOR MEANS TO CAUSE ROTATION OFSAID CONTAINER WHEN SAID CLOSURE MEANS IS IN CLOSED POSITION.